As the officials lifted their arms in the air to signal that Will Scott’s 42-yard field goal had indeed sailed between the uprights in the north end zone, numerous Troy players did as well. The 38-37 victory not only completed a 16-point second half comeback against Florida International, but also gave the Trojans a much-needed close win.

As several of the offensive lineman walked off the field, arms still extended, it appeared as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from their shoulders after a calendar year full of misfortune and close defeats.

“That’ a win I feel we’ve been needing for a couple of years,” said senior left tackle Jarred Fleming. “Field goals have played a huge part in our games. All the games we’ve lost with field goals, finally winning one with one, especially in a clutch situation like that, it feels great. Plus those three home losses. It felt great to get that win.”

Troy had not only suffered through a 3-9 campaign last season, but had not won a home games since they beat Florida Atlantic on Nov. 19 of last season. Entering last week’s game, the Trojans were 0-3 on the season at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Last season when Troy played at FIU, the Golden Panthers tied the game with a field goal with 3:31 left in regulation then won the game with another in overtime.

“It kind of game me a flashback. The roles were reversed,” said senior center Kyle Wilborn, who sat out the first half of Saturday’s game due to a suspension. “Flash forward a year later, and it’s the same story, just different sides of the ball.”

The suspense was so great that many of Troy’s players couldn’t watch Scott’s attempt.

“I had my head down,” Wilborn said. “I hear the crowd just go crazy after he makes it. It was a great feeling.”

Wilborn was suspended for the first half of the game by the university after committed a dead-ball foul the week before against Western Kentucky.

“It definitely wasn’t a good experience, I can tell you that. That’s the first time I’ve had that happen to me, just sitting on the sideline watching my team play. Hopefully, it’s just a one-time thing. This won’t ever happen again.”

Wilborn wasn’t the only offensive starter sitting against FIU. Troy quarterback Corey Robinson was in street clothes after suffering a concussion against Western Kentucky.

Backup Deon Anthony did a remarkable job in Robinson’s absence, completing 29 of 41 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony also rushed for 115 yards and a pair of scores.

Robinson feels that while Anthony stepped up to lead the team to victory, when both quarterbacks are available, Troy has an added dimension.

“When we’re playing together is when we’re at our best,” Robinson said. “When defenses have to prepare for the ‘two-headed monster’, it’s a lot harder than just for one guy.”

The injury snapped Robinson team-leading streak of 31 consecutive starts.

Troy travels to face Florida Atlantic this week in a 4 p.m. kickoff.